Legislator withdraws proposal to change TOPS college scholarship program

A south Louisiana lawmaker Monday scrapped his bid to turn the state's free college scholarship program into a loan-forgiveness program,
agreeing instead to study the idea further rather than face outright
rejection of the bill. Rep. Joe Harrison, R-Napoleonville, proposed House Bill 994
that would require repayment of some TOPS money when students don't
meet the criteria required for keeping the free tuition payments. It
would have required students to repay their TOPS award at any point
during the first two award years if they failed to meet the scholarship
standards. When members of the House Appropriations Committee
questioned the cost and ramifications of the proposal on the state and
students, Harrison agreed to shelve the bill this session and get
further details about its implications. "I think I have no choice," he
said. Earlier this session, a separate House panel rejected Harrison's
proposal to cap the amount of money students can receive through TOPS --
the Taylor Opportunity Program for Students. Harrison said he's trying
to find ways to curb costs in the more than $130 million-a-year program
because of the state's financial problems.